Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine was founded in 1981 with a Rockefeller Foundation Grant as part of the INCLEN (International Clinical Epidemiology Network). The focus of this grant was to establish centres of epidemiological and biostatistical research excellence in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and South America to bring rigorous research evidence to clinical medical and population (public) health practice. CCEB was the original INCLEN centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since its foundation, CCEB has been conducting high quality research; research higher degree supervision and training, as well as providing coursework training - from short intensive course to PhD level - in research methods in Australia, Asia and Africa. CCEB is an internationally recognised epidemiological and biostatistical research methods resource within the University of Newcastle, and beyond to the Asia-Pacific and global level. CCEB graduates are now working in senior positions in ministries of health, universities, NGOs, UN agencies, and civil society groups throughout the world.

The opportunity to undertake postgraduate study with the Centre has attracted many high quality professionals, who have benefited from career enhancement and increased research opportunities. The multi-disciplinary nature of the Centre allows for teams of public health professions, clinicians, social and behavioural scientists, epidemiologists, statisticians, health economists, geneticists, clinical pharmacologists, and trauma specialists to interact side-by-side to solve pressing national and global issues. Applied management in health, drug and alcohol, stroke management, and global health and primary health care are additional areas of interest and expertise of CCEB.

Mission

An important part of CCEB’s mission is to liaise with other health science institutions. This occurs in both developing countries and in Australia, to produce significant numbers of skilled personnel who can assist clinicians, health administrators, public health professionals and politicians in their quest for evidence-based health promotion and health care delivery. A key focus of CCEB is the rational, effective and economically efficient use of health care resources to achieve optimal health care.

CCEB also has a mandate to design and operate innovative flexible delivery modes of education, including web based instruction and distance learning within Australia and overseas, as well as full time and part time programs on campus.

Location

The CCEB is located on the John Hunter Hospital Campus in the Hunter Medical Research Building (HMRI) Building on Level 4 West.

Post Graduate Students have access to computer facilities and support services within the HMRI Building, in addition to the full range of facilities provided on the main campus.

The main University campus is located about 3km north in the suburb of Callaghan. There is an off-road cycleway.

The John Hunter Hospital, the region's main teaching hospital which is on the same campus, is also accessible by the public bus transport system.

Associations

The Centre has strong links with Statistics in the Faculty of Science and IT, Business and Law in the Faculty of Business and Law, and Sociology and Anthropology in the Faculty of Education and Arts.

Other well-established associations include General Practice, Medicine, Psychiatry, Reproductive Medicine, Nursing and Surgery. These multi-disciplinary connections provide students with an opportunity to participate in research projects in these disciplines and obtain direct experience in a variety of practical research methods.

Leadership History

During its history, CCEB has been led by a range of eminent academics with strong backgrounds in epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research – Professors Annette Dobson, Richard Heller, Julie Byles, Wayne Smith, Cate D’Este and John Hall. The current director of the Centre is Dr Jimmy T Efird (PhD 2003, Stanford University).

Contact us

For general enquiries regarding any of the programs, research projects or activities offered by the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, please contact us at: